Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same timeframe to ensure accuracy. Eric S. Basse has a 41% approval rate across 1,242 decisions on record since 2016. This figure sits within the 21% to 93% range observed among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle. These aggregate rates describe past decisions rather than predicting the outcome of your hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Basse. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Basse's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
Eric S. Basse has a record of 1,242 decisions spanning from 2016 to 2019. His yearly approval rate was 39% in 2016, 46% in 2017, 41% in 2018, and 40% in 2019. This pattern suggests that the approach to evaluating evidence remained stable throughout the time on record at the Seattle office. These trends reflect historical data and do not indicate a shift in how your individual case is evaluated.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Basse's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the Seattle hearing office
Eric S. Basse's most recent office on record is the Seattle hearing office, where he recorded decisions through September 2019. This office serves the Washington region. You can expect a standard administrative process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in your decision. You can visit the Seattle hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 22 judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle, with approval rates ranging from 21% to 93% on their since-2016 records. For preparation purposes, the guidance remains consistent regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Eric S. Basse has a 41% approval rate on record since 2016. Among the 22 judges whose most recent office on record is Seattle, approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 21% to 93%. An attorney can help you prepare your case for the specific standards of this bench.
The approval rate remained steady throughout the record from 2016 to 2019. He recorded a 39% approval rate in 2016 and a 40% rate in 2019, with a peak of 46% in 2017. Understanding these historical trends is one part of preparing for your hearing, and an attorney can help you evaluate your case strategy.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, which is why it is important to be prepared for any ALJ you may be assigned. An attorney can help you navigate this process.
The 41% approval rate on record for Eric S. Basse reflects past decisions and is not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical evidence is the most important factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
